Courtney Lawes graduated in to the Northampton Saints side after a stint in their academy, having been raised close to their home at Franklin's Gardens.

Having been earmarked for stardom from a young age, he was brought into the England setup by coach Martin Johnson. The start of the 2009-10 season brought further opportunities for Lawes, who celebrated a European Challenge Cup title with the Saints in May 2009.

His form led to promotion into the senior Elite Player Squad (EPS) in October 2009 and he made his Test bow off the bench against Australia the following year, before a first start on tour against the same opposition the following year.

Lawes struggled with injury in the early stages of his career and failed to cement an England starting spot. He also endured a difficult Rugby World Cup in 2011. Lawes received a two-match ban for striking Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma in England's opening match of the tournament. He returned for the decisive victory over Scotland but dropped to the bench for the quarter-final defeat to France.

Lawes' injury woes resurfaced following the tournament and he endured a torrid 2011-12 season. He was restricted to just one substitute appearance for England during the 2012 Six Nations, against Wales in a 19-12 loss. While Lawes returned for the Saints on the domestic scene, his coach Jim Mallinder ruled him out of contention for England's summer tour to South Africa as he looked for the second-row to regain full fitness.

Lawes continued to be dogged by injuries and lost his place in England's starting XV to Joe Launchbury during the 2012 autumn internationals and the 2013 Six Nations.